Bridges to somewhere

Real estate developer Jim Bridges financed the first phase of his first project, a shopping center he built in 1975 in a small west-central Georgia town, with $500 on a Visa card.

The development included a Colonial Food grocery store. It held special significance for Bridges not only because it was his first, but it was in his hometown of Manchester — population less than 3,000.

The project was a success. It was the first achievement in a 40-year real estate career where Bridges has now built more than $700 million worth of projects. But Bridges, 66, isn't done.